THE GARDEN

Evening Star, Issue 18333, 21 July 1923, Page 16

THE GARDEN

the scilly isles.

GARDENS OF THE ATLANTIC.

'Jly B. L, Wolf and A. D. B. Walbank-J

Gome forty miles distant thorn Penzance, Along the *ofc highway that stretches from the Cornish Harbor to the lort of St Mary’s, lie what we may term the lovely Cardens of the Atlantic—the Isles of Scilly. Five islands of this group ot pome fifty rocky prominences are peopled with a sturdy rase of industrious workers. Although liut tiny specks on the map of the world, St, Mary’s, Trcsco, St. Martin’s, St. Agnes, and Bryhor, each is a veritable hive of industry of such a character that a brief outline, of the inhabitants’ activities may bo of interest. St. Mary’s, the main _ island ot the Scillics, is about nine miles in circumference, and has a population of about 1,200. The soil is fypic.-d of that to be found on the other inhabited .slands of the group—a light sandy loam, varying in depth from a few inches to just over oft. The average rainfall is approximately 3dm per annum: winter temperature- averages 47deg Fahrenheit, the summer around lOdeg higher. The nature of tho soil and climatic conditions aie such that S , ' ov/ V 1 {a hardly ever checked, even in the depth of winter. Owing to the smallness of aomo of tho holdings, Urn cultivation of the soil alone will not suffice for tho occupier to support his family ; in these cases fishing is an added occupation. The main industry in tho Scilly Islands is flower preduction. Kfi-ly potatoes form an important side line, and bulbs are also exported. The approximate tonnage of flowers and potatoes taken from _ the islands to the mainland in the Scillics’ own steamer indicates the relative importance of these two crops. In 1922 some 790 tons of (lowers were exported (in 1321 about 1,000) and just over 600 tons ot early potatoes. The former amount represents, say, four and three-quarter million bunches! The bulk of these arc narcissi—the well-known Solcil d’Or. fllorir.sa. poet ions ornatus, Scillv White, Mid Grand Primo, with Golden Spur, Pnnccps, and other trumpets that find favor in our markets. The more sheltered parts of tho islands arc devoted to the cultivation of flowers, and even on some of tho exposed parts an attempt is being made to grow them. Flowers seem to meet the eye a.t every turn. In the windows of the cottages, in tiny parcels of land tucked away in some out-of-the-way corner where one would not expect a flower could grow, in tho meadows, tho cultivated fields—flowers 1 Arum lilies, grown in the open, stocks, wallflowers, anemones, violets, and narcissi—all these are cultivated—but tho narcissi holds the front rank in (lie export trade and in the hearts of the horticulturists of the Scillics. Wind is the bane of the narcissus cultivator. For this reason many of the fields are split up into a number of tiny patches by means of live hedges ; or wind breaks may be provided by the more modern method of combined wood and rush shelters. The flower industry has grown np from ihe humble beginning made with a few bulbs of these sorts which were dug out from the hedgerows and given congenial accommodation in a sheltered

garden. The size of the holdings varies from three to four acres up to the rare figure of sixty acres. On well-cultivated farms it is customary to allow tho bulbs to remain for three years: they are then lifted, sorted into sizes, and replanted in fresh fields. In others bulbs remain in tho same beds for a number of years. The early flowers are picked when the buds are breaking and taken inside to open. They are then put in hunches and marketed in non-returnable boxes made by the growers themselves. Glasshouses used to he more generally used for forcing than is tho case now, but a few of tho growers are renovating or rebuilding their glasshouses. Tno largest area under glass is at Tresco, whore over 50,000 square feet of glass are in constant service. Flowers, potatoes, followed hv tomatoes, with mint as a catch crop, is the order of tho cropping each year in these houses.

Although something like. 180 tons of bulbs were exported from the islands during the year 1982, eulb production lor export has not yet been engaged in to any extent. That wonderfully good bulbs are grown hero none wiii gainsay; their presence points to great possibilities if this branch of the narcissus industry can be developed. With limited space at disposal, however, some difficulty las been experienced by the smaller growers in obtaining for planting land which has not recently carried; a crop of narcissi. Tho result is that bulbs occupy so much of the available area that there is insufficient break to ensure the elimination of the variety lilted before another sort goes in- Purity of stocks can then only bo attained by resort to rogueing. There are other factors to be considered, hut it cannot be too strongly emphasised that purity of stocks must lie maintained if a successful trade in bulbs is to bo achieved. It would appear that tor tho satisfactory development of this branch of iho narcissus industry a systematic rotation o? crops is essential. There is need for more land, but there is very little more to be had.

From the nature of the soil and tho climatic conditions obtaining it would seem that flowers other tluin the narcissus might offer a solution of fine problem. It is highly probable that there are remunerative lines which might he taken up whilst the soil is resting from the daffodil. The facte could bo ascertained by tho establishment of trials on the islands themselves. EARLY POTATO GEOWIXG.

Although looked upon as a side line, (ho importance of this crop may bo noted by the figure of 600 tons given as the approximate total of early potatoes exported during the year 1922. Before 1922 the crop was out of favor for some seasons, but it is now receiving more attention. A comparison of narcissus and early potato production is interesting; an islander has given it in his own words: “A bad crop of flowers is bettor than a good crop of potatoes.” This may be so, but it depends upon the farm ou which the potatoes are grown. Opinion is 'divided as to the wisdom of further increasing the area, and in all probability this is due to wide variations in the degree of suitability of the sites available* for the purpose on different farms. Where the crop can bo lifted and marketed by mid-April a good price is usually secured. On the other hand, some of the growers cannot lift before the second week in May. Dargill Early, under the narno of Advance, is the prime favorite—in fact, it is f radically the _ only first early grown, iesh seed is imported each year from Lincolnshire. In many cases earlier, arc only grown for the purpose of giving the land a rest from bulbs, “without losing very much money by doing so,” it is said. The preparation of the soil includes a very heavy dressing of seaweed, drawn from tho beach and spread straightway over the surface and ploughed in. The tubers arc boxed and sprouted before planting. Tho usual distance is lOin by lOin. Tte early potatoes are followed by a root crop, such as mangolds, swedes, tv carrots. ■ A few growers in the second par follow the potatoes with a straw Drop, a mixture of grass seeds being sown v/itij it, and the seeds are allowed to remain for the third year, after which the land is broken up and prepared for bulbs.